Decisions, decisions. Some decisions are easy and clear-cut. It’s either A, or B. But others…they’re not so easy. Especially when there is no right answer. And especially when neither of the choices you face are favorable.
On my last post, I talked about stress, and how to deal with it. At least, how I’m trying to deal with it. I’m not gonna lie and say that from the moment I wrote that post, all stress rolled away from my shoulders. Because dealing with stress? It’s not a one-time thing. It’s a constant, day-to-day, moment-to-moment decision-making battle.
The weight have lessened because I have “puked out” some stupid stress factors that are not worth it, but I still have a few things that weigh heavy on my mind— things that actually…kind of matter, things on which I have to make decisions. You see, half of dealing with stress is simply making a decision. Unfortunately, making decisions isn’t always easy.
Okay, here are a couple big decisions that I need to make: First, housing for next year. Our school assigns housing by a general lottery. Every housing applicant is assigned a certain time to pick and choose their housing for next year. I happened to be assigned a really, really late time, so by the time I got online to choose, I was left with severely limited choices. The only remotely okay place left with a kitchen was a small apartment shared between four students. Three of the spots were already filled, and I took up the fourth spot. Overall, I was satisfied, and curious about who my future housemates were. I had visions of the four of us chumming and baking corn muffins together.
Well, there will be no corn muffins…unless there’s pot in them. A random girl suddenly found me through Facebook, saying that those three students were her “best friends”…and that she wanted my spot. She also added that she and her friends “don’t believe in religion”, and that they do illegal substances and bring boys over to spend the night. “You seem like a sweet girl,” she said. “But from what I see from your Facebook details, I don’t think you are a right fit for my friends.”
Correction: You’re not the right fit for me. Maybe this girl was lying and trying to scare me away. But I sure as hell was not gonna spend a whole year living with three girls who would resent me for taking up their best friend’s spot. So I canceled my housing assignment. Which left me with…nothing. I can’t even re-assign, since all spaces were taken up already.
So where will I live next year? I have no idea. I’ve been looking at some off-campus housing, but I have yet to find a spot that 1) is close enough for me to walk to campus, and 2) isn’t over my budget. With my dad’s clergy salary, there is no way I can pay for a $1000+ monthly rent.
But wait— there is one option…which is to live in a community housing provided by my church fellowship group. It’s a big house shared by about 20 girls, all Jesus-lovers. Sounds ideal for me, right?
Wrong. I do love hanging out with my church friends…but honestly, not 24/7. I don’t like hanging out with anyone all the time, period. I’m a person who really values my private space and time. I hate forced casual talk. I hate having to smile and act happy when I’m feeling crummy. I hate being asked out to events all the time. All of which I would have to endure if I live there.
But this place seems to be the only choice left for me at the moment…and I still can’t seem to make a final decision on it. For now, I’m still looking for someplace that isn’t over my budget, but none is available, and time is running out.
Tired of me complaining yet? Wait, there’s more. The second decision I have to make: Spring break. Specifically, a trip my church friends are making to San Francisco. Initially, I said yes. I was even so excited about it. And then, with my project partner bailing on me, I was suddenly hit by an unexpected workload. And now, I don’t even think I will enjoy the trip if I go, because I will always have that anxiety at the back of my mind about the two mid-terms and project presentation waiting for me when I get back. In addition, I’m worried about the cost of the trip, especially because I kind of went over my budget this month. On the other hand, I also feel terrible for disappointing my friends, who keep pressuring me to go.
So again, I’m grappling with decisions that are based on unfavorable choices: I’m afraid of all the stress I’ll have living in a big house with constant socializing but I don’t want to pay so much for other housing options. I’m don’t want to spend $150 on a trip to San Francisco worrying about the stuff I should be getting done, but I don’t want to spend spring break all alone, either.
Actually, I guess I might be making these decisions more complicated than they really are. I admit, the underlying factor behind my indecision is due to my own preconceived ideals and likes. I like things a certain way. I want things to turn out the way I planned them to. And because they’re not, I’m extremely stressed about having to make a decision on less-than-ideal options.
Also, I’m stressed out over stressing over future stress. Yeah. Triple stress. I’m hesitant to make a decision yet because of apprehension of all the future things that I think will happen. Sigh. Decisions, decisions.
It’s kind of like food. What is so complicated about food? It’s there to eat, or not to eat. We either like a certain food, or not. But then we make it so damn complicated by worrying and obsessing over the eeny meeny details, all based on our own perception of the “ideal” food: Is it nutritious? Is it organic? Is it local? How many calories and fat? Does it have trans fat, HFCS, artificial sweetener, preservatives, etc? Does it have enough fiber, protein, omega-3 fats, and blah blah blah.
Oh, humans. We just love complicating things for ourselves, don’t we?
Well, thank God for Sweet Treat Wednesdays and Fried Food Thursdays. I’d like to think that they uncomplicate things: all you need to do is find a sweet treat and a fried item. And then eat it, without worrying about its contents. And I have to say, they are a gentle (and yummy) reminder for me to take a step back, and just enjoy something in its simplicity.
For my Sweet Treat yesterday, I stopped by the Mexican bakery near my school again. I’m really liking this place, for its wide variety of pastries and sweet breads, and its reasonable prices. I got this for just 60 cents!
It’s a jumbo-sized cream cheese muffin, topped with cinnamon-sugar. 
Surprisingly, it wasn’t all that sweet, even with the sugary crust. The texture was just the right proportion of density to fluffiness, and the flavor was rich and buttery. 
I ate half of it as a mid-morning snack, and then finished the rest during class. Yum. Hit the spot! Besides scones, muffins are my favorite baked good.
For Fried Food Thursday (that’s today), I made a third trip to the Dim Sum Food Truck: 
Yes, it’s the third time I’ve visited this truck, but the first time I actually ordered anything. I have had a tough time trying to score an interview with the truck owner, a young USC alumni named Alex Chu. 
Long story short, never try to interview a food truck owner during their business hours. Especially when they’re popular with never-ending lines like these: 
…that just kept growing… 
…and growing like an evil magical snake: 
We students trapped in downtown LA without a car are gravely deprived of good dim sum. So Alex is kind of a god-send. But he’s a horrible interviewee. Other than that, he’s a pretty cool guy. He’s actually only 22—the same age as me, except he has his own business and I’m still a measly first-year student in college desperately trying to get an interview with him. 
Look at that cocky smile. The “I’m so cool, I’m wearing a Dim Sum shirt” smirk. But even a hotshot food truck owner needs to pay for the parking meter: 
And to be fair, he did look pretty busy: 
I finally finished my interview with him last week (it only took the entire day of waiting and waiting), but I wanted to try his food for real today. I heard about his sesame seed balls (a deep-fried glutinous rice ball with lotus seed paste filling), so I really wanted to try it as a snack for Fried Food Thursday. Unfortunately, things got a bit complicated again: They were totally out of sesame balls.
“Damn it!” I cried out. The girl in the truck raised her eyebrows. The customers behind me gasped. But I was kind of pissed. This ruined my plans! My perfect plan to get a deep-fried sesame seed ball to celebrate Fried Food Thursday!
And then I realized how stupid I sounded. Why was I getting so stressed up over following a little rule someone made about a certain day of the week? Whoever said I can’t have a different fried food? Whoever said I can’t have a fried food on—gasp—a Friday?
Stress Begone Rule #1: Nothing is more important than my inner peace and joy. And certainly not a sesame seed ball!
So I ordered a pork and shrimp shu mai instead: 
And for all it’s worth (a freaking $2.50 for just three small dumpings), it was delicious. It was a wonton wrapper filled with juicy pork filling with bits of plump shrimp. 
The sauce is Alex’s special sauce. He revealed some of the ingredients to me: garlic, chili, oyster sauce…and some more he refused to tell. But it’s a sauce he’s really proud of, because it’s unique to the Dim Sum truck. 
At first I thought it was way too salty—and then on second try, I grew to really like it. It complemented really well with the shu mai. 
After I finished this, I regretted not spending a few more bucks on some other items. Oh well. I’ll have opportunities every week! 
See you next week, Dim Sum truck!
So. I didn’t get my Fried Food Thursday in today. Guess I’ll have to make that a Fried Food Friday instead. And I certainly am not gonna stress out about it. I have other things to stress over, like the fact that I may be homeless next school year.
Okay, I’m not exactly going to be homeless. I know God will take care of me. And I feel like He’s going to teach me something through these tough decisions. So…no worries. I will be fine. 
Question of the day: What are some decisions you make each day that may not be as complicated as you make it to be? And…What was your Sweet Treat Wednesday and Fried Food Thursday?
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I’m so sorry to hear about your housing issues!! College housing IS so stressful – I remember those days well… Sending big good luck hugs, and warm thoughts and prayers that it will all work out well…
My Wednesday Sweet Treat was a hamantashen – a buttery cookie with plum filling… Your Sweet Treat Wednesday is the greatest invention ever!
I am notoriously known for being terrible at making decisions. I get myself so worked up that in the end I can’t even care, because its too much stress! For me making lists or pro/con charts really helps me manage my time, and my mind! Also sometimes I just need to do something else for a while, not involving ANY decisions, and eventually I’ll know whats right. But when I am in serious doubt, I ask my Mom or my boyfriend. Sometimes I just can’t trust myself to know whats right. I’m not sure if this is good or bad, but I’m glad to have support around.
On another note: Dim Sum truck?! OMG. I need one now!
Booo…housing is such a stress, you are 110% right! I have no idea where I’m living next year either! I also totally understand the issue of personal space, I need time alone but people think I dislike them and then it’s just another stress I hope it all sorts itself out for your soon though!!!! Lots of *hugs*.
A Dim Sum truck is a genius idea! I bet he is super, super busy!!!
Sweet treat Wednesday….lychee sorbet! STW is the best idea ever! I love it to bits!!!
Happy Friday, hope you have a good one!!!!!!! xxxxxxxx
dang im sorry about the house situation!! that is totally stressful..but you know God already knows and you just have to trust!! ( i know- so easier said than done!! )
keep praying!!!
HAPPY FRIDAY!!
I ended up living in program housing when I was in college to avoid the housing lottery. I know how stressful all that can be, but I’m sure it will all work out for you! I haven’t had dim sum in forever and I am seriously craving it after your trip to the truck!
“Also, I’m stressed out over stressing over future stress.” – I know exactly what this is like.
I too use food to “uncomplicate” my life. (Although you’re right in that some people make the subject pretty darn complicated). If it’s delicious, it goes in my belly. If it’s not tasty or it will make me feel icky then it stays out. Easy peasy.
Okay, I am diggin that Dim Sun truck lovin. You know a place is good when there’s a line the length of the Mississippi River to get to it. I know plenty of pancake places like that in my city, and they are WELL worth the wait.
PS- I had to search 5 stores to find pumpkin to make my muffins haha. What’s going on?!? It must be all of us food bloggers eating it up : )
hahahahhaha ROFL how you go from possibly having to live with “jesus lovers” to spring break with your church group…hahahahahahhaha
i am sure you will figure it out you cant be left homeless for school!!!
Chicke that guy is CUTE! Dim sum and then some….lol
That girl who emailed you, is an asshole! sorry for cursing but she really is! How dare she talk you out of YOUR housing…grrrrr
Oh no! Sophia, I’m sorry about the housing issues… I have faith that you are going to find something soon that you are comfortable and excited about. Your living space should be peaceful!
But man, I wish I had a Dim Sum truck where I live, that special sauce looks so tasty!
Lets see… On Wednesday I had a delicious home made oatmeal raisin cookie that my mom made, and yesterday I had deep fried lemon pepper tempeh nuggets. Yum
Have a good day and I hope your issues get resolved!
Oh my girl!! That is alot of girls in one house!! DOnt worry love you will find somewhere great for you!! U will not be homeless!!! lol!! Have faith!!!
Girl i love dim sum!!! I had it for the first time last summer in nyc at 2 in the morning, lol!! It was amazing!!!!!!!!!! I need that dim sum truck to come here!!!
love u! Have a great weekend!! xoxo
No worries! Fried Food Friday has a ring to it, doesn’t it? I hope the housing situation works out for you!
I love the dim sum truck, too cute. I am so sorry about your dilemma. That really sucks, and I wish it wasn’t so complicated for you. Is there anyone is housing you can speak with to explain your situation. You probably should have spoke with someone before you gave her your spot because you may have been able to fill her spot. You would think if she had a spot to choose from that there would be something left for you. I hope it all works out.
Oh my that is complicated! Im so sorry things are so stressful for you at the minute, I can definitely understand how frustrating and worrysome all those problems are.
I see your point of view about living in the bigger house. At your college is there an accomodation office that can offer some help, surely there cant just be nothing for you? Couldnt they offer up some ideas? I do understand how frustrating searching for accomodation is, Im in the process of doing the same and its driving me mad!
I dont know how to help you out with that problem Sophia, pray for an answer and put all your faith in God that whatever happens will happen for the best, let Him decide what should be a good choice for you.
Hope it sorts out for you soon,
xox
Laura
First time reader, first time commenter. Rest assured, Christian or otherwise, you will have much bigger problems in your life than finding something to do for spring break or where to dorm. Live a few blocks further away from SC (I’m assuming you go to USC? ) and you’ll be able to find something < $1000. Heck, our 1 bedroom apartment was less than $1K.
Reading due to the Dimsum Truck coverage. Great concept that was waiting to happen. NB: shu mai shouldn't be dipped in garlic/soy paste.
Shit! Poor thing. Yes, keep God in yr prayers & things will work out.
*prays for you too*
Having no accomodation or payin premium rent for the nx year wil be hard on you. I really hope you wil get a plc SOON!
As for the San F trip, I dunno wht to say. I’m a party-goer..and lovesssss trips out of the state/ctry w frens. I hope u get to go, anyway u could speed up finishin the project?
oh! I love sweet stuffs.. I had a pistachio muffin frm Coffee Bean -Wed (its new!) and fried chic wings on Thurs!
I totally want that muffin
I did’nt have any sweet treats on wed… and nothing fried yesterday surprisingly…. I have some catching up to do lol
That dim sum looks INCREDIBLE. Now I really wish I had a truck like that rolling around on my campus – what a bang for your buck!
Woah your college housing sounds so stressful, I’m sorry things are going the way they are. Makes me thankful we get freedom in choosing our housemates and house. I hope you manage to get the housing and sprink break stuff all sorted out
On the plus side that muffin looks delicious!
You were really put in a tough spot, and you put them ahead of you but then you actually didn’t…I dabbled in things, I’m not exactly proud of it, but no regrets either.. I’m much older than you, so dorm-mates were a while ago– this could totally become a disney movie.. “wink”
What is the possibility of getting an apt off campus?
I’m really indecisive too sometimes, and I can obsess about making the “right” decision. Regarding housing, maybe you can put an ad up at your school or church saying you are looking for a roommate? Getting a one-bedroom or even a studio is often more expensive than splitting the cost of a two-bedroom. Good luck!!!
i hear you on the decision-making. and i’m sorry you can’t find a good housing situation for next year – maybe you could wait a bit before accepting your fate to the community housing, in hopes that someone will drop out of an on-campus room or someone will need a person to fill in a spot off-campus. not sure how long you can wait, but it’s worth a try.
i love that you played it cool when they were out of sesame balls. awesome job curbing the unnecessary stress! i stress over food EVERY day. i’m starting to think that if i didn’t think about it all the time and try to plan ahead and calculate everything, i could alleviate unnecessary stress. but then i’d be stressing and worrying about gaining weight (i’m not underweight, so i don’t need to gain). hm… lose-lose situation?
i have been following the dim sum truck since they opened but haven’t gotten a chance to go yet. looks terrific!
There’s a dim sum truck now, too?? Gads, everything is being served in four-wheeled spaces now. Too funny!
Ahh, sorry to hear about the housing snafu. But things have a way of working out in the end. I am positive they will for you, too!
That Shu Mai looks absolutely AMAZING!!!!! Can they have one of those in NYC please!!
Housing troubles are sooooo stressful! I really hate the lottery system…I know it’s supposed to be a fair way of doing it, but still in the end some people always get short-changed. I know your housing situation will work out, just give it lots of prayer!
I’m jealous of all the food trucks around your campus…those dumplings look amazing!
complicated decisions? debating to join my friends for lunch or not. my mind goes into a whirlwind, i feel pressured to eat a “normal” meal even when i don’t feel like it. then a friend comes along with a waffle and says, “oh, heavy breakfast” and i think: DAMN, ME TOO. I AM ONLY EATING THIS WHOLESOME MEAL BECAUSE I THOUGHT EVERYONE WOULD BE, WHY CAN’T I JUST SPEAK MY MIND SOMETIMES? oh i love the company so much. but eating in a group stressed me out so much that sometimes i take to skipping the meal prior to it just so i can be hungry when i meet them and devour my meal like a normal human being
Geez, what the heck was up with that girl? I find that girls can be so underhandedly mean
I know something will come up for you, and that if you do end up with your church group, it will turn out better than you think. They seem nice, and I’d hope they would recognize if you need your space.
I tend to stress and worry about … everything, especially in the middle of the night. I wish I could be more like my husband, who drifts off to sleep without a worry. I truly wonder if his mind leaves him at those times
That muffin looks mouthwatering!! YUM! I say live with 20 girls and don’t go on the trip–school is your job right now! Your friends will understand. I think that the other situation will force you out of your comfort zone–which could end of being a positive!
<3 jess
xoxo
mmmm sounds like a yummy truck to have around! I think you made a mistake when you canceled housing she was just trying to get your spot to be with friends. Oh well, you’ll find something.
hey sophia! ahh stress. you know its odd but when i was reading the new testament once, i was getting so caught up in the differences between the gospels and i was really STRESSED about it! luckily some good friends brought my head out of the clouds and into the simplicity of the messages of Jesus and out of the historical, contextual, semantical, analytical, cloud i was on. Jesus should not be stressful, ha!
in the case of food, I appreciate your awareness of the stress caused by the issues you listed. but also, there is a differentiation between stress of food, and mindfulness of food. one can be thoughtful and mindful of their food decisions, but if it turns into stress that can of course be dangerous and unhealthy.
its all about balance.
i LOVE dim sum! cool concept! bummer about the housing situation, but it’s good that you didn’t get sucked into that living situation, you’llf ind something much better
Aww that really sucks about the housing situation. I’d be stressing too! Maybe you can find a roommate or two and then possibly afford an off campus place? That’s what I did in college. It sounds much better than living with 25 girls!
Sesame balls do sound delicious! I had chocolate filled ones in NYC. AMAZING.
{Perseverance is a virtue}. And you know what, you’ll have a great Spring break…whatever happens. As for the accomodation next year. Hmmm. I want to say don’t worry it will work out. And sometimes things being late….are fantastically right on time but….it is well, regardless!
Sorry about your stress and all. It will all work out in the end. That dimsum truck is one amazing idea! I wish we had one here! The food looks delicious, fresh and the truck looks so clean! Wow!
Is he planning on expanding?
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! Yall have a Dim Sum truck?! Are you serious?! It’s only one of my most favorite foods ever!! That is beyondddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd coool. Wow. Freaking out over here.
And ugh! I’m so sorry about all those decisions. I really hope the housing thing works out! Living with 20 girls would be really hard for me, and I totally understand not wanting to live with people you already see so often. It was like that for me when I was skating- it was SUCH A RELIEF when I moved out and found a place with non-skaters, that weren’t involved in that WORLD. I hope it works out, and I hope your spring break is restful and fun, regardless of what you do!
Happy weekend Sophia!! Hang in there!
omg, all i can offer is good luck. those girls sound kind of miserable though, so i do think you escaped a potentially horrible situation…even if it leaves you in a slightly worse one for the time being. im sure it will all work out though.
oh loving the dim sim truck wish there was on in my neighborhood!
First of all, let me say I wish I had one in my neighborhood! Door service to be exact, or maybe I need to recruit them myself…
Second, as a believer myself, you should have gone with the later and we are seen by example, teach them it is not a 24/7 thing…I have found that by example and my life course of loosing my daughter has turned out to be the course set before me by God. Not saying he killed her for a purpose, but she lived for a purpose and it changed my life…So I bet you could change someone’s, even if only one…
This blog has a following and I bet someone out there, a life has changed…
I saw this and whipped up some clear noodle sweet and spicy broth to make up for lack of dim sum!
You have had so many things happen in a short amount of time. I guess one step at a time. You are right that it will get taken care of. I believe that things happen for a reason.
That truck looks really good. I can see why there is a line.
College housing CAN be a pain! Does your school have a housing office where you can go and ask for advice/suggestions? Maybe there’s an apartment/house a little further away from your school that’s cheaper, or someone looking for a roommat to share the 1000 rent or whatever
It will work out, and whatever happens, you’ll make the best of it 
Your muffins look spectacular and the dim sum truck is something not seen in these parts. Sorry your housing arrangements are such a mess, but these things work themselves out. At least you have a fall back position should you need it and you have spring break to look forward to.
Oh my gosh, Sophia, sometimes I feel like you’re reading my own thoughts. This is exactly the reason why I get so stressed out: I make things more complicated than they really are. When we step back and look at the things we were worried about in the past, we will wonder why we were so worried in the first place. I think I just need to remind myself constantly that God will take care of me
Every time I go to a restaurant I have this dilemma. I can never choose what I want to eat because I want to have no regrets about it (I have to have things my way too!). I want to have all the right flavor combinations (sigh, being the foodie that I am). I just have remember that it’s simply food, and that having a not so tasty meal will not kill me.
As you know, I had a banana cupcake with cc frosting brought to me by my prof. It turns out it was actually a banana-pineapple-coconut cupcake. Even better
I ate it before the picture though >.<
I’m really hoping for the best in regard to your living situation.
And that dim sum truck looks like a fun and tasty place to eat! I wish we had those in Gainesville!
If there was a dim sum truck where I live, I would die of happiness. Seriously! I LOVE dim sum but only have it once in a while because I don’t eat out all that much… yuuuum!
your food picks are just TOO good – they make me so hungry – and the dim sum truck – how fun would that be
wow! i am seriously craving dim sum after these photos!
Ah, the stress- right there with ya! It will all work out though- whether you worry or not. You just have to trust.
Wish I could be more helpful, but I’m stressed enough for the both of us haha.
Your pics are making me miss Cali- I went to undergrad in Los Angeles!
So sorry to hear about all these stresses!
Hang in there. btw, that cream cheese muffin looks great! I’d have a hard time eating the bottom after having finished the top (my favorite part!)
Wow, glad to hear you understand your stresses and you are learning the best ways to cope. That’s the hard part – along the way your making us envious with your delicious food discoveries. I’m getting stressed that I do not have a dim sum truck in my backyard!
oh no that sux about your living situation, but i’m sure it will turn out. this is a great post and really unique to learn about a dim sum truck – which i might add is super cute!
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